Treasure or Trash? Find out at Randolph St. Market Fest

May 25, 2010 9:40:49 AM PDT

May 25, 2010 (CHICAGO) --

Are those salt and pepper shakers your grandmother left you valuable? Is your family silver worth anything?

Do you have some garage sale trinkets that might be treasures? You can find out this weekend at the Randolph Street Market Festival. Veteran appraisers, including Mark Moran, senior editor for Antique and Collectibles Books, and contributor to Antique Trader, will be on hand to evaluate your antiques and collectibles at the festival in the West Loop. You can have one personal item appraised with your paid admission; additional items will be appraised for $10 each. (You must bring items from home, not purchase them at the market.)

If you'd rather shop, the 7th annual Randolph Street Market Festival randolphstreetmarket.com features more than 200 select purveyors of high quality, value-priced "finds." The internationally recognized European-style indoor and outdoor mark kicks off its season with a blockbuster opening market, this Saturday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1350 W. Randolph St. Held one weekend of each summer month, May through September, the Market burst onto Chicago's fashion scene seven years ago, and quickly earned an international reputation as one of the most diverse markets in the world, drawing comparisons to Paris' legendary Le marché au puces de Saint-Ouen.

The Randolph Street Market Festival encompasses several smaller markets, including the Chicago Antique Market chicagoantiquemarket.com featuring a diverse array of treasures from the past; the Indie Designer Market, indiedesignermarket.com where top designers of fashion, art, jewelry and decor showcase eclectic artwork and crafts; plus the Fancy Food Market, the Vinyl Swap Meet, and the Global Goods Bazaar. The indoor portion of the Market takes place in the historic, three-level Plumber's Hall Building located on the market grounds, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.

Here are some of the highlights:

Antique Trader Appraisal Fair For the 2010 grand opening market the Randolph Street Market Festival teams up with the Antique Trader, one of the most widely circulated weekly antiques and collectibles magazines, for an on-site Antique Trader Appraisal Fair. Six of the publication's most exemplary appraisers will be at the market to offer a free appraisal for every shopper with paid admission. (Additional appraisal available for $10 each). Shoppers must bring personal items, not items purchased at the Market.

Special MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive offer As a special offer for the May Market, anyone who participates in the annual MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive will receive free admission to the Market on Sunday, May 30. Bikers need to show their registration number at the main entrance to have their admission fee waived. The event is the largest fundraiser for the Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago's voice for better biking, walking and transit. There will be delivery service on-site, allowing attendees to have any of their purchases shipped to their desired location.

Family Friendly Market The Randolph Street Market Festival offers a fun opportunity for families to spend quality time together. All kids 12 and under receive free admission, in addition to a complimentary "Treasure Map," which gives children a fun way to navigate the market with their parents, and instills an appreciation for the value and history of antiques. Maps can be picked up at the main entrances. Free arts and crafts activities for kids will be set-up inside Plumber's Hall on both festival days.

Musical Line-up There will be live musical entertainment throughout the weekend event. The music line-up on Saturday, May 29 will be the Wood Street Bloodhounds playing traditional bluegrass from 10 a.m. until 12 noon followed by the popular Chicago swing band The True Historian who will serenade guests throughout the afternoon; and on Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 12noon jazz will fill the air before the Devil Dogs take the stage at 12noon to rock through the last hours of the Market.

Free Trolley Service Trolley transportation to and from the Randolph Street Market Festival is provided as a courtesy to shoppers. Trolleys depart Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., at the top of the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and depart the Market for Water Tower on the half-hour from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available and the event is less than a quarter-mile mile from Ashland and Lake Streets' Green & Pink Line El stops.

Randolph Street Market Festival 1350 W. Randolph St., Chicago Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30 $9 tickets when purchased online; $12 at the gate Children 12 and under get in freerandolphstreetmarket.com 312.666-1200 Other Market dates: June 19-20; July 24-25; Aug. 28-29; Sept. 25-26

ABOUT MARK MORAN

Mark F. Moran is Senior Editor, Antiques and Collectibles Books, for Krause Publications (a division of F+W Media) in Iola, Wisconsin, and has been a contributing editor for Antique Trader magazine. He has also served as editor of Antique Review East magazine; as producer of Atlantique City, an antique show held in Atlantic City, N.J.; and as editorial director of F+W Media's Antiques Group.

In 2010, Moran will be joining the Antiques Roadshow Summer Tour for the first time. He will be among the appraisers at the collectibles table when the Roadshow stops in Billings, Montana, on June 26; in Biloxi, Mississippi, on July 25; and in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 7.

He is the author or co-author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, including:

Antique Trader Guide to Oriental Antiques

Antique Trader Furniture Price Guide

Antique Trader Clock Guide

Antique Trader Guide to Metalware

Warman's Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 43rd Edition, 2010

Warman's Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 44th Edition, 2011

Warman's Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 45th Edition, 2012

Warman's Fenton Glass: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Fenton Glass, Vol. 2: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Guide to Majolica Pottery

Warman's Arts and Crafts Furniture: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Country Antiques: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Fiesta Ware: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Gas Station Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's McCoy Pottery: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Companion, McCoy Pottery: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's McCoy Pottery, Vol. 2: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Red Wing Pottery: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Roseville Pottery: Identification and Price Guide

Warman's Guide to Vintage Cookie Jars

Warman's Guide to Lalique Glass

Warman's Guide to Tobacco Antiques and Collectibles

Warman's Guide to Sterling Flatware

Warman's Guide to Dolls, Vintage to Modern

Warman's Vintage Salt & Peppershakers

Formerly an antique dealer, Moran bought and sold antiques for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana and fine art. He was also a newspaper editor and reporter for three decades.

He has been active as an appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years, and is currently associated with Landmarks Gallery and Restoration Studio in Milwaukee; landmarksgallery.com.

Items shown during ABC7 News at 11 a.m.

Just about everyone has something they treasure and wonder if it has more than sentimental value. So we asked ABC7 Staffers to bring in their favorite possessions so Mark Moran could take a look at them. Mark is Senior Editor, Antiques and Collectibles Books, for Krause Publications (a division of F+W Media) in Iola, Wis., and has been a contributing editor for Antique Trader magazine. He'll also be on the road with Antiques Road Show this summer, making stops in Montana, Iowa and Mississippi. Formerly an antique dealer, Moran bought and sold antiques for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana and fine art.

Here's what Mark says about our treasures:

Soup tureen and under-plates or platters from Ray Saleh, ABC7 vice president of sales: Imari porcelain is the collectors' name for Japanese porcelain wares made in the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyushu, and exported from the port of Imari, Saga, specifically for the European trade. The porcelains usually have painted decor of under-glaze blue and iron red on a white ground. The subject matter is of foliage and flowers. These were first made in the mid-17th century.

Charles James Mason registered his Patent Ironstone China trademark in 1813 as a cheap alternative to porcelain. Mason was an astute entrepreneur who had already been involved in the early 18th century porcelain import trade from China by the East India Company. When bulk imports basically stopped in the late 18th century, Mason turned his skills to the manufacture of ceramics in the "Chinese style." Ironstone, a dense opaque, earthenware, lent itself well to decoration in under-glaze blues as well as the over-glaze enamels. Mason's wares were an instant success and have remained highly desirable with collectors for almost 200 years. Their decorative patterns, many in a primitive Chinoiserie style, remain unsurpassed for their charm and earthy beauty.

Examples: Mason's Patent Ironstone 8-lobed plate with polychrome decoration in the "Imari" style with under-glaze cobalt blues and over-glaze iron reds richly highlighted in gilt. The plate comes from a fine Estate collection of Mason's work and is in exceptional condition with minute paint loss; size 8 ½" D, $395.

Mason's Patent Ironstone serving platter, dating 1840's, featuring under-glaze blue with over-glaze iron reds in an "Imari," pattern. The platter comes from a fine Estate collection of Mason's China and is in excellent condition with no discoloration or crazing and only minute paint loss. The platter is perfect for display; size 15 ½" L x 11 ¼" W, $1,000.

Small glass pitcher and cup from ABC7 news editor Gary Peterson: "My Mother showed me this little souvenir pitcher and cup she had from her grandparents. It says "LaSalle 1904" and my great grandmother's name on it. I wondered if it was some sort of crystal or "carnival glass"... It's rather small, the pitcher is about 4 1/2 inches tall, and the little cup (which I understand is for toothpicks) is about 3 inches tall."

These are souvenirs -- called Ruby Flash or Ruby Stained glass novelties -- of the 1904 St. Louis Exposition. Some novelties produced over a 40-year period (1880-1920) are quite elaborate and valuable. Most simple examples are worth only $20-$30 in mint condition. There is an entire private museum in New Orleans devoted to ruby-stained glass.

Howdy Doody doll (12 inches) from Vicki Giammona, associate producer of ABC7 News at 11 am: Howdy Doody was broadcast on from 1947 until 1960. It was a pioneer in children's programming and set the pattern for many similar shows. It was also a pioneer in early color production as NBC (at the time owned by TV maker RCA) used the show in part to sell color television sets in the 1950s.

Howdy Doody himself was a freckle-faced boy marionette with 48 freckles, one for each state of the union (up until January 3, 1959), and was originally voiced by Buffalo Bob Smith (real name Robert Emil Schmidt).

The Ventriloquist Doll by Goldberger is $40-$50 in excellent condition.

Shirley Temple doll (18 inches, circa mid 1950s) from Vicki Giammona: The vinyl Shirley Temple doll was made from 1958-1962. This doll came wearing a number of different outfits. Most were in the 1950s style. There were five movie outfits: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (demin dress with checked shirt and head scarf), Heidi, Wee Willie Winkie, Poor Little Rich Girl (though often identified in ads as Captain January - included a sailor dress with matching tam), and Stand Up and Cheer which can be more valuable than the prices listed here.

Silverware from ABC7 anchor Ron Magers: "We have some silver that, according to the legend in my wife's family, was buried during the Civil War to hide it from marauding soldiers ? from both sides," Ron says.

Ron's family history may be right. The spoons appear to be stamped "W&H", which stands for Wood & Hughes, a New York City silver manufacturer started by Jacob Wood and Jasper H. Hughes. The firm was known as Gale, Wood & Hughes between 1833 and 1845, and active during the Civil War. The company was purchased by another firm in 1899.

The spoons are in a fiddle pattern, which was dominant throughout the 19th century, and is the most commonly found pattern from the 1800s. Originating in France, it first occurred in England from the 1760s without the shoulders on the stem near the bowl, particularly favored in Scotland where it is known as Oar pattern. The most common Fiddle pattern variants are Fiddle & Thread and Fiddle, Thread & Shell. The production of plain Fiddle pattern ceased around World War I.

Ron's spoons are monogrammed, which brings their value down a bit. Monograms can be removed, but this can be spotted by an expert. For plain teaspoons, perhaps $25 each.

ITEMS FOR WLS WEB CAST

Beer bottles from ABC 7 news photographer Derrick Robinson: Unless they are unusually colored, beer bottles values tend to be low. Features that might add value to any given bottle include: applied lips, crudeness of lettering or glass, whittle marks, a mug base (paneled base) unusual shape, embossed pictures, a large amount of embossing or unusual coloring, a famous name, the presence of an original label and age.

Items that detract from beer bottle values: no embossing, no city or location embossed, damage of any sort, stain or scratches.

Consider that there are millions of beer bottles around. Many more than will ever be in the hands of serious collectors. Collectors like rare and unusual items but that alone does not guarantee value. A beer might be a one-of-a-kind but if no one cares, it has no value.

Those pictured range from $15-$50, with local collectors paying even more. Bottle in aqua-to-clear are the most common; embossed and painted are not as common.

Mrs. Beasley from Glen Ostgaard ABC7 computer systems administrator: Made only two years. This doll is not always easy to find, especially in Excellent Condition. Measures about 20" in Height. Should have original glasses, Bib and Apron. No Hair trims. String must be intact, most are mute, $50-$70 mute.

Talking examples in mint condition are being offered online for $250+. Also now being reproduced.

Family Affair was an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1966 to 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do civil engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Brian Keith) as he attempted to raise his brother's orphaned children in his luxury New York City apartment. Davis's traditional English gentleman's gentleman, Mr. Giles French (Sebastian Cabot), also had adjustments to make as he became saddled with the responsibility of caring for 15-year-old Kissy (Kathy Graver) and the 6-year-old twins, Jody (Johnny Whitaker) and Buffy (Anise Jones). Mrs. Beasley was Buffy's favorite doll. Anise Jones recorded her voice to go with the doll.

Mary Hartline dolls from Vicki Giammona, associate producer of ABC7 News at 11 am: Mary Hartline's striking looks and more-than-ample figure made her a natural for the black-and-white, low-definition television screens of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

From January 1949 until December 1955, Mary appeared weekly on "Super Circus", the ABC television network's premier Chicago origination. "Super Circus" aired Sundays from 4 to 5 pm, Central Time. The show was produced---live, of course---in the Civic Theater (adjacent to the Civic Opera House) before an audience of close to 900 moppets, all of whom were under the age of fifteen.

Mary was typically introduced on "Super Circus" (by ringmaster Claude Kirchner) as "our Queen." She would lead the "Super Circus" band in at least one up-tempo number per half-hour segment, participate in comedy sketches with the show's three clowns and guide youngsters from the studio audience through on-stage contests.

Above all, Mary was a merchandiser---of the Super Circus sponsors' products, of "Super Circus" licensed products and of her own product line, which included dolls, toys and clothing. Mary's beauty added immensely to the effectiveness of her pitch. (Another salesperson on the show was Mike Wallace who, dressed as a side-show barker, sold Peter Pan peanut butter.)

15" Mary Hartline has sold for $150 online. Being offered complete with drum majorette baton for $250. Small size, $40+.